Microsoft has announced an updated version of its Windows Update/Microsoft Update (WU/MU) client that has already begun rolling out to users. The company says that the improvements are intended "to provide additional protection for customers", and include "further hardening of infrastructure used by WU/MU client and a more secure communication channel between WU/MU Client and Service."

The update will be deployed to systems running Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows Server 2012, and will be pushed to computers starting today via Windows Update/Microsoft Update. Users are assured that none of their existing settings will be changed.

If you're wondering why Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 aren't on the list to receive the update, it's because they already include the improvements that the new version of the client will deliver to other systems, as does Windows Server 2012 R2 with update 2919355.

However, the update will not be deployed immediately through WSUS, and will not yet be available as a standalone package for download. Microsoft says that it will update its post on TechNet when that changes.